Six heats run today in playful, weak 2 foot runners at Burleigh with men's and women's Elimination Rounds completed.
I first saw Olympian Nadia Erostarbe from Zarautz, Basque Country, surfing at the Snapper Rocks Changa last year. She bought a tight, modern backhand that I assumed would translate to the CT. With Johanne Defay out this year, Nadia has been called in for four starts so far, and hasn't quite looked CT standard. Today marked another Elimination Round appearance for her, which she failed to advance from despite her most CT-worthy ride of the year so far.
Two strong rides to start the heat, in an advancing position until five minutes to run before getting steamrolled by Sawyer Lindblad. Nadia will likely get bounced after Margs, which is a bummer because she charges hollow lefts and could do serious damage in Tahiti. Such is life.
The second women's Elimination Heat was conducted at a frenzied pace. 23 waves were ridden - almost one a minute. Winner Lakey Peterson accounted for eleven of those, including the two best of the heat. Her 7.33 was the first wave she rode, and her back-up 6.43 was the tenth. When the siren sounded 0.13 separated the other two surfers, Brisa Hennessy and Bella Kenworthy, with Brisa on the wrong side of the wafer-thin margin.
Lakey (WSL/Ryder)
The men's Elimination Round was a cracker. Particularly the first heat. Julian Wilson on the eve of a comeback via the Challenger Series with a rejigged tour in front of him which would have him salivating. Ryan Callinan was a no-show with a new bub to attend to. In his place, Morgan Ciblic magically appeared like a mushroom in a North Coast paddock after rain. His performance was equally psychedelic. Full power turns on weak, little waves. Shades of his all conquering 2021 year where he made John Florence look ordinary in beachbreaks.
For a man who makes a virtue of meditation Jack Robinson loves to get nasty in a heat. Paddle battles, gruels for the inside position, fakes etc etc. You name it, Jack likes to get into it. Julian Wilson faked him deep for the opening minutes of the heat, slipped into a tiny wave on his belly to reposition on the bank and won the tactical battle with Robinson. What he did next was shocking.
The fully bald father of two wound the clock back and ripped into an aerial attack that would have shamed a teenager. Three attempts, all varied, all lofty, all tail-high and flared. Three buttery makes.
Julian (WSL/Shield)
Jack simply had no answer. Two heats at Burleigh totalling an hour of competition with two others and he looked completely lost. The best score he could muster in that hour was a tepid 5.33 in his heat today. An under-surfed wave with very regulation top turns and a weak finish. In desperation he went to the air and never looked like a make.
Jack's first showing on the Goldy points has been a total disaster. He leaves with a last place finish.
His small wave game still looks inferior to top five peers.
Can he fix it?
He can go someway but the facts are, where you grew up matters.
Those who grew up in short period swells breaking on shallow sand bars will always have a superior small wave game and quite probably an overall advantage compared to those who grew up surfing groundswells.
I don't say that without some evidentiary basis. In the last 20 years 16 of the men's World Champions grew up on short period swells. 22 of of the last 30 years. 29 from the last 40. 38 from the last 50 years. Those numbers are hard to deny. Other than Hawaiians and a couple of Californians (Tom Curren basically), surfing small short-period windswell as a kid is a massive advantage. The women's data is more skewed by Carissa Moore's titles but in the last 20 years 13 World Champions have grown up surfing dribble.
Morgan (WSL/Shield)
We often query beachbreak-bred surfers learning to, say, conquer Pipeline. We rarely reverse the onus of expertise and query reefbreak-bred surfers learning to ride small beachies or points.
The GOAT Kelly Slater won six events on the Gold Coast sand bottom points, including at D-Bah when the point banks were washed out. They underpinned his world title runs, coming as they did at the start of the year. He won eight times at Pipe, if my Wikipedia research is correct. Jack may win a few more Pipe Masters titles, but he's got a long way to go before he starts racking up results on the sand bottom points on current form.
J-Dub faces off with Ferriera next and you'd give him more than a punchers chance based on today's showing. Riding a magic JS file from 2015 (what is it with all the old JS files producing magic boards 10-15 years later?) Julian said in the presser today: “I truly think I can mix it up with him."
Imagine Ferreira getting knocked by an Aussie wildcard at Bells and a retired bald dad at Burleigh? Too much heaven for Australian surf fans.
Just a quick word for new dad Ryan Callinan. Congrats, to start. Your backhand has been insane, best on tour for mine. Your forehand, I feel like we've barely seen it unleashed in anger, which is a travesty. With one event remaining and sitting at No 31, it's unlikely you'll make the cut. If you charge onto the Challenger Series, all the best and god help you. If this marks a new phase, you've brought a lot to the game and thanks for the memories. I hope there's an injury wildcard or paternity clause somewhere you can use to get back on tour full-time. There's way more left for you to contribute at CT level.
R-Cal's pal Connor O'Leary, second best backhand on tour, unleashed in weak runners, hitting every mark with power and precision and easily winning through. Jordy Lawler gone.
Rio (WSL/Shield)
Rio Waida looked on from start to finish in the next heat, with second-placed Ed Groggia dispatching Matty McGillivray.
Rio revealed in the post-heat presser he was undergoing somewhat of an existential crisis. Start of the year he was excited to come here but after a few disappointing showings he told Laura Enever, “Now I don't want to compete; I don't want to be here."
It was a question of meeting expectation he revealed, saying, “I put a lot of pressure on myself and when everything doesn't go my way I felt guilty."
Conversations with coaches, team, trainer, shapers, family etc etc had helped steady the ship, he said, and now “today is today, I'm happy." He was taking small steps and enjoying the journey.
“I feel like I'm on the right path. I feel like, just be nice to myself."
Rio ended on a hopeful note, saying he had felt the hunger come back in that heat and that, “my goal is to win, so lets' do it."
It has been a more hectic year, with less downtime in between events. Some burnout would be expected. Teams offer support, but teams need to be paid as well. All of that puts pressure on the athlete.
For the final heat surfers moved down to the beachie bank and, as predicted, lefts were being scored at Burleigh. Joel Vaughan knocked in a super tight heat, where he lost no fans.
Too early to call a favourite after the opening rounds but there's a ton of momentum with wildcards Steph, Morgs, and Julian.
// STEVE SHEARER
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Women's Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Luana Silva (BRA) 12.60 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 11.87, Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 10.17
HEAT 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.76 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 11.33, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 11.20
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Men's Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.47 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.33, Jack Robinson (AUS) 7.06
HEAT 2: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 14.00 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.17, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 8.50
HEAT 3: Rio Waida (INA) 15.17 DEF. Edgard Groggia (BRA) 12.96, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 12.30
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.73 DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 13.90, Joel Vaughan (AUS) 13.14
Comments
Jack grew up surfing Trigg point….
Whilst not short period (usually 10+sec). It is certainly dribbl
Moved south when he was six.
Not sure about that, used to see him regularly out there midweek until he was around 12. Must’ve been back and forth a lot then maybe
I don't reckon under 12 counts for too much at all in a pro surfers development in short or long period swells.
It's the teenage years where they grow from a weedy little grom into a fully grown man that would count much more for that to my mind.
Yeah possibly, fair point
To be fair, a good solid week or 2 at Gold Coast or surrounds is about a year of trigg waves , when it comes to reps and practice. And he was very young ( young is relative in jacks case ) when at trigg, training wheels era.
I heard the Trigg Pt origin story but all the footage we saw of him as a child prodigy was down south or in heavy water.
Even if that theory has holes in it- Jacks small wave surfing looks weak and unconvincing.
Compare his 5 point wave and the way he surfed it with Morgs scoring waves.
No argument there and there’s some interesting stats in the article too so thx for that.
I was always surprised that Jack didn’t grow up to better in small waves, he was phenomenal as a kid in them.
His first CT win was in small Mexican point break waves, wonder how he managed that?
OH sets and long period swells.
Very different to short period Gold Coast swells.
Yeah Roger. I’ve always felt he has a funny chink in his style / flow. That slightly bent front arm, exciting moment of brilliance that rely on ‘recovery’ and slows the flow into next section
It has holes in it but not massive holes - His old boy was smart in starting him at Trigg, he moved down when he was around 12 but was up and down from Trigg from Birth.
Dad Trev has had a joint in Margs for a long time.
The story with the biggest holes in it is Felicity Palmateer, the way she talks is like she is from Margaret River... Never went to school in Margs and has never lived in Margs, she is from Trigg.
Yep, I cringe every time I hear her claiming local status at Margs.
Well researched FR. Enjoyed that take on things for sure. I think maybe JJ made up for some of his weaknesses by the sheer volume of surfing done in the beach breaks of ehukai. Off season he tended to stay north shore and still surf for hours yes? And Carissa would have honed her game in a lot of South shore stuff too. Jack looked lost yesterday and Julian schooled him in tactics which was quite bizarre. How to fix it is no doubt not easy and you're right about Filipe and others getting hammered for their lack of a big wave game but a world champ needs to be good or pretty good in all conditions
Shouldn't have to be. No surfer cares about small wave prowess at this level - anyone can paddle out in those waves it is a shame we have to subject the surfers to this slop. Not sure how they could do it, however for this level of surfing it really needs to be in minimum 6' and grinding. Stuff the average surfer needs to really gear up to go out in. Big wave game (not giant) is the point of all this from my viewpoint. It has all been said before ad nauseam.
@memlasurf Spot on!
It's the same as saying Tiger Woods is shit at playing Putt-putt golf. Anyone can manage a simple beachie, but not many can handle the worlds heaviest reefs
Let's hope for eight-to-10 foot main break rights for R-Cal to show us his greatness. Ya gonna scoot up to Burls for a sniff onsite Steve?
I expect so Gra.
He might not have grown up in short period swells but at least he's trying to do something about it. Didn't he move to the Gold Coast in 2022? I've seen footage of him in head high snapper and he's not bad. As soon as it gets smaller than that (like in Newcastle a few years ago) he looks stuck like he did on the weekend.
Hard to fathom. Jack has lived on the Tweed for a while now and is always a standout at small Snapper and Dbah. He trains like a beast in slop I wouldn't bother with.
Hard to say what happens to him.
Maybe it's trauma from him being stranded on the QS for so long (semi-joking). It was only Sunset Beach that rescued him and got him on Tour.
That was 2019.
2020 Tour was cancelled.
2021 he looked terrible in small Aussie beach breaks and was in danger of falling off Tour until he won Mexico (in long period point surf).
3 starts in small surf on Finals Day at Trestles for 0 heat wins.
I thought there may have been a showing at Snapper last 3 years as a CS but he appeared to no show it.
His record in small waves is woeful.
Absolutely. I'd still love to see him with a title though that probably makes me a hypocrite for calling out Fearlippe on his lack of big wave skills but giving Jack a pass for a crap small wave game. I rewatched Jacks Backdoor 10 the other night with my son, still the best wave of the year so far IMHO
Jack seems to developed childitis (having kids). Julian’s only just recovering from the same problem. It can take years.
You touched on this from day 1: jack’s heavy water mental zen isn’t translating well to the small stuff.
Will say that WA’s noisy swells throw up heaps of short period beachie action, it’s just that even then, the waves are punishing.
Jack has to be the favourite at Margs. Despite the disincentive of “winning” a Great Wall, two firsts and a last might still get him the Aussie treble, no?
Gonna be a bummer if cloudbreak is 10ft and Jack’s not there.
Does anyone know who won the expression session girls yesterday?
The results are up on TikTok
Classic: "Morgan Ciblic magically appeared like a mushroom in a North Coast paddock after rain."
Thanks for the summary, FR.
As someone who loves numbers, an honest question to your stats (they made me curious)
"I don't say that without some evidentiary basis. In the last 20 years 16 of the men's World Champions grew up on short period swells. 22 of of the last 30 years. 29 from the last 40. 38 from the last 50 years. Those numbers are hard to deny. "
Do you have an idea, in all of those years, how many (or what percentage) of the CT surfers competing did grow up in short -period (according to your definition) swells ? Just checking as if historically 3/4 of surfers on tour come from short -period swells, the expected rate of world champs would be 3/4 too (without considering any other priors or biases, of course).
Thanks!
That would be interesting information.
Basically, you're looking at separating Californian and Hawaiian surfers (long period) from Florida, Aus and Brazilian surfers (short period).
The fact there have been so few Californian champs compared to Florida champs is affirming for the theory.
But that's just off the top of my head.
Similar to the recent discussion as to why Victoria is under-represented at an Australian level (being mainly long period swells).
On that discussion I reckon short period spots produce a lot more disposable waves. When surfing consistent and shorter duration short period waves you're much more incentivised to take risks and try new things.
On longer period reefs and points you really don't want to blow waves, they don't come as often a and they're better. Not to mention you more often have to wait your turn because there is less shiftiness. Because of this there's an incentive to surf within your limits and not take risks. Sort of behavioral economics. Can lead to less progression and explosive surfing.
Interesting thought, I reckon that’s spot on.
As discussed in the Bells live chat, it might be more a function of water temperature and time spent in the water as a grom over the whole year. It isn't as easy for a 12 year old to get into a 4/3 wetsuit, hood and booties in the middle of winter to practice high-performance surfing.
Interestingly there has only been one male world champ (from 22) that grew up surfing in cold water, Tom Curren.
Martin Potter? Shaun Thompson?
Durban boys- subtropical.
"The fact there have been so few Californian champs compared to Florida champs is affirming for the theory."
There are a lot of difference in total number of titles, but only 2 champs (Slater, CJ Hobgood) to 1 (Curren).
I'm always amazed that California with all it's opportunity, both waves and wealth, and surfing popularity has only produced one world champion.
Add women to that now.
Women champs based on location of their formative/grom years
Aus (East Coast) - 6
California - 4
Florida - 3
Hawaii - 2
Peru - 1
South Africa - 1
Male champs based on location of their formative/grom years
Aus (East Coast) - 9
Hawaii - 4
Brazil- 4
South Africa - 2
Florida - 2
California - 1
most californians see surfing as an art more than a sport.
people are just happy to go surf and dont care about the whole pro thing.
its "cooler" in california to not care
Art: how many Californian longboard world champs?
exactly!
Its also influenced by local culture. There is less desire to win a surf contest in cali. People dont care as much about it as the do in those other places
Jack is a great Australian and a supremely talented surfer. He's just got post Bells blues, it happens and he can't get hard for whipping it in the weak stuff
Jack could've done it. Wave choice looked very tricky and he was on the wrong side of it. Bad heat for him. I wonder whether he needs a minor change in his small weak wave boards.
2 bad heats in a row, where others found lots of opportunity.
I agree, his small wave boards do not look good.
Looked a fraction light in volume to me and Baron is another one who doesn't look great in the small stuff. Interesting hearing JS talking about getting Marco Mignot up a litre when he came over to JS. Gives that much more carry and glide which is critical in small stuff, not so important when there's push
What's Julian riding? Looked like a 6'6" ?
His 'carry' was impressive, where other surfers seemed to be loosing speed? Too much rocker?
The lad can grovel, and make it super entertaining, great clip thx
Check footage of Taj, same age, same waves. Jacks a long way off.
I seen a photo of Jack at burleigh , yet his board looked plenty thick almost too thick.
Probably could go a little wider especially in the tail . Could also be a combo of too much tail rocker , fins , or too much concave just in front of the fins .
Yet I don't know,... maybe he just had an off day.
Or two .
Jack Robinson just looked at yesterday's WOTD and thought let's get out of here and go home and surf some real waves. He will surely be one of the favorites to win Margs.
"surfing small short-period windswell as a kid is a massive advantage".... is that a reflection of the historical quality of waves on tour?
Slater and Andy are interesting contrasts, one grew up surfing ankle high dribble, the other in surfing paradise, but equally matched in waves of consequence.
Jack (and others) seem to lack that workmanlike approach when its needed to get through the heats. I'm sure he does alright, but if he wins a world title...
Andy cut his teeth at pine trees which is a fun , super fast sandbar just down the street from his house
Is the back half of the forecast looking better? The size was barely there for this level surfing.
Please no more air reverses.
Is Jack still on a round tail synergy in that surf? Something didnt look right.
Stoked to see Julian do well.
Agree with your R-Cal comments FR. Absolute gun and deserves to be on the tour.
Italo looked damn good on day 1. Be a right challenge for JW. Hope it is a good one.
Jack dropped anchor at burls like he was waiting for a set wave to hit the Bells bowl. Wrong tactics & failed to adapt while Jules & Morgs used him as a priority buoy! Jules surfed that heat like he hasn't been off tour, would be good to see Kerzy back in a rashie too.
I waych the first 8 minutes of Jack's heat....I guess he pulled a tommy whits after that!
Haha, actually went back and looked at the heat details, Jack caught the most waves, 8 in total, though all but one were below 2 points. Morgs only caught 3 waves & Julian 7 waves. Might have to go back and rewatch the heat.
I'm not sure how the current system works but I imagine the same points are allocated for each event?
What if a lower total points scale could be aggregated for events that just don't measure up. This could be % based & calculated at the end of the event program totally based on a mean average of what the conditions were like.
A high % event would a true indication of everything. Lower % events would keep the surfers that have been knocked out still in the game ..... maybe
Memories of the early days of competition, plain embarrassing to watch; the winner was the one with the most wiggles &/or tricks
Really interesting numbers of long/shor period world champs
I would love someone to do somthing similar and crunch the numbers on the number of lefts vs rights on tour and how that correlates to goofy/natural wins
To me it feels like the tour has been heavily skewd to righthanders and favoured the natural footers for at least a handful of years and possibly longer. Anecdotally, that's supported by Steve's observation of not having seen R-Cal's frontside. Similarly - whn I was Yago at Strickland Bay comp during covid I felt I was seeing him surf a performance left reef for the first time
Maybe fodder for an article another day steve?
It's an enduring complaint but pretty meaningless. At that level the preference from backside to frontside is less than negligible. Sure in some conditions there may be advantages but that swings both ways. Goofys who may be constrained by the curves of small Rincon (Bells) think they have an advantage in big open Bells. Both Italo and Gabs have openly said they prefer to be backside out there.
Jordy did his best ever air on a lefthander (Macaronis). R-Cal did his best ever air backside on a right.
I'll add it to the list NDC!
Some kid called Taj grew up on a steady diet of long period swells and he seemed to do alright in weak beachies and short period points. Won Snapper if i recall.
As for Jack. Couldn't care less if he doesn't excel under 3 foot. Fair to say he doesn't care much for 3 foot waves either, which i think is reflected in his surfing.
Taj is a good counter-example for sure.
Funnily enough, his weakness was always heavy water. Brilliant at Snapper, patchy record at Chopes and Pipe.
He looked amazing at Cloudbreak though.
....Taj won pipe ..... nothing weak about that .
He did, but it was 3 ft when he won.
There were bigger days in the waiting period.
I
I do recall Taj charging Pipe and Chopes and there was never any question of his courage or ability at either break, plus like Lank said, a Pipe Master, regardless of it being 3ft. Didn't Robbo win it in 3ft Pipe also.
Another one of the long interval crew to look out for, Brodie Mulik. He's that good.
So, Bede and Page no cred ?
The Cloudbreak heat he lost to JJF was incredible. Was it his last comp there?
I thought it was his, but the judges disagreed.
Still reckon Taj won that heat.
The other thing with Jack, I think he hated the final5 format, with a passion, but had to shut it for employment reasons
Entertaining to watch the air show @ Burleigh with the odd 3ft face! Hopefully a bigger swell will materailise & make for a real show in some thick running Burleigh bazzas!
Classic the comment's on Jack Robinson, could have swarn the media was saying the same shit 40 years ago about Kong.......
Pretty sure that Kong does't give a fuck now.
If I may be so bold…
Bought: past tense of Buy
Brought: past tense of Bring.
I wouldn’t normally, but I’ve noticed a trend!
Some very interesting talk about Griff C circulating on social media on this day of competition. Will media outlets pick it up? If it's true, they probably should.
Under-age high school aged girlfriend stuff ? Elaborate
hahaha looks to me that its just a bunch of trolling instagram pages talking shit
I didn’t read anything online but he clearly shouted out his girlfriend on the wsl feed during the comp. Surely he wouldn’t do that if she is not legal (ie under 18). I mean he is clearly not the smartest but seems very well liked by all on tour.
Accounts were saying she's legal (i.e. 18) but in her final year of high school. If true, not a good look for a grown man.
I missed JW's performance, but will catch up. Anyone learn more about his magic board? Udo, do your thing, aye ;-)
Hyfi- 5'10" x 19 1/4" x 2 3/8" x 28.6L
Thats only a Guess
:-}
Your guess is probably a good one, those would be stock pro dims?
Defo looked longer than other pro boards
I'll guess 6'2 32l
Looked like he was on the Monsta10 model for that heat.
He usually rides stock dimensions or close to.
Website has it as
JULIAN WILSON // Height: 6’0” (183 cm) // Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Rides 6’0” x 18 7/8” x 2 3/8” x 28.5L
He said it was a 2015 file from a J-Bay board.
JBay step up ?
Outline looked sleek, like a point board
Who hasn't gone up a litre or two over the years, but they've spread the foam around nicely.
When I saw it I thought ' I could ride that!'
Usually the pro boards make me laugh and 'I'd have as much luck riding a corn chip'
Ron was Right - Rode a Monsta
Thanks
The orange graphic one was a Monsta. Not sure of size.
Thanks for write up.
Hope JW can give it a good crack.
Interesting comments re small wave/ period for groms growing up.
Sunny Coast has so many good surfers, but geez the waves live up to the Hoax name, especially comparing to say Margs.
But it is consistently dribble, but warm.
Do a Parko, grow up here, then move to Goldie in ya teens. Few are still doing that!
Reckon easier to adjust to surfing juice, you just need to travel.
Look at the Bali crew, best most consistent waves on earth, only Rio on tour.
Sure lots of other factors.
Ziggy Mackenzie I'm sure will have impact with girls, grew up surfing Bali/Indo, now on Goldie, charges.
Anyway hope Jack gets juice at Margs.
Kong was mentioned, grew up on SC, but was always better in juice. Guess growing up surfing outer reefs helped.
Talent, work ethic, opportunity... if you arent exposed to / living in a surfing epicentre (Goldie or Northern Beaches) you arent even on the radar for sponsorship. Plenty of crew all over the world happy with their compromise - good uncrowded waves and enough to get by.
Yep, I know what I'd rather.... :)⁷
Messy early but cleaning up currently. Italo was a no show this morning and not a lot of pros and their hangers on were out and about.
I can’t see it being called on today.
They’ve already called it off for today and tomorrow.
Finger on the pulse Dill. Yesterday they called it off until Thursday.
i tried to get engaged with it but just couldn’t- i feel sorry for jr it’d be such a let down after his bells win…. i know they have to row with the oars they have but it reminded me of jjf grovelling around last year in el sal, and that nearly broke me!!
Certainly suffered a few twitch reflexes driving over the hill at Scarborough and looking north in my formative years "Oh, fuck." Paddled out anyway.
Funnily enough, my youngest who has grown up in choice groundswell absolutely froths to go surf Trigg every time we're over. He's the most glass-full I've ever seen anyone out there, trying to squeeze the absolute best out of the conditions and comes out with a smile on his face. He'll confidentially take me aside later and say "Dad, I'm glad I grew up where I did."
Sadly judging criteria in men’s elimination round rewarded one manoeuvre air down the line ,so ignore morgs rail game albeit in small ways
So judges have basically said this is an air show contest
Especially as the sand bank is tending to have some close outs
Piss weak
Italo to win or telido
maybe not, looks like its picking up a little bit and Im sure they willl reward some good turns. hard not to judge the airs when they were surfing 2 foot racey closeouts. there defintely not throwing as big of numbers at airs like they used too
8.2 vs 6 is still big
All relative
Couldn’t help but notice that Morgan’s ‘all date’ bottom turn was as prominent in the sloppy dribble as it was when on the Bowl. Shame the Blakeys didn’t probe further. Would have liked to see them go deeper into it. It’s a sight to behold. Hopefully we’ll see variations on the all date such as the ‘extended all date’, and the ‘mid face all date’. Especially looking forward to the ‘double pump all date’, if that’s not an oxymoron.
always, steve shearer's wsl competition write-ups spark conversation rather than controversy.. discussion rather than dissonance.. he's not a cheap agitator; steve shearer's swellnet write-ups stem from his personal and piqued ponderings on engaging aspects of the tour..
'the facts are, where you grew up matters'. The funniest comments of the week on SN left the wondering: Kaipo bewilderingly called 4-5' oakberry waves.. was there a bunch of ADL mid-coast spivs looking at each other nodding and saying 'I reckon it mighta been five and a half foot...' ?
I'm sure I heard Kaipo call it 5-6ft at one point in the broadcast, maybe he was in the brine for too long
Definitely called it 4-5ft at one point.
I'd like to know how many bonsoy lattes old kaips smashes back on contest days
Fired up he is always !
fuck he seemed rugged last saturday morning..